A Small Orange vs Hostwinds

A Small Orange launched in 2003 and became known for offering simple hosting plans designed for both beginners and growing businesses. They provided shared, VPS, reseller, and dedicated hosting, giving users flexible options based on site size and performance needs. Their shared hosting plans stood out for including cPanel, SSD storage, unlimited email accounts, and Weebly’s drag-and-drop builder, which helped users create and manage websites without technical experience. WordPress-optimized servers, one-click installs, and a wide app marketplace added convenience for personal and business sites. Security features were solid, with password-protected directories, spam filtering, hotlink protection, and daily backups included across plans. Developers also had access to multiple coding languages, MySQL databases, and custom error page tools. Customer support was available through 24/7 live chat and email, though some users found responses brief and missed having phone support. Pricing tended to run higher than many competitors, and users needed to buy SSL certificates separately, which increased total costs. While A Small Orange is no longer active, their review offers context for what customers valued and where the service fell short. Readers can use these insights to compare today’s hosting providers and choose an option that matches their budget and website goals.

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Seattle, Hostwinds has built a reputation for providing dependable and customizable web hosting solutions for individuals, developers, and businesses of all sizes. Their portfolio covers shared, business, VPS, cloud, reseller, and dedicated hosting, with data centers strategically located in Seattle, Dallas, and Amsterdam to ensure low latency and high availability. Hostwinds differentiates themselves with enterprise-grade SSD storage, a 99.9999% uptime guarantee, and flexible scalability across all plans. They also include valuable tools like the Weebly website builder, cPanel with Softaculous, and a range of optional security add-ons such as DDoS protection and nightly backups. Customer sentiment toward Hostwinds is mixed but generally positive, with users praising their responsive 24/7 live chat support and reliable uptime, while some raise concerns about billing complexity and the short refund window. Holding an A+ rating from the BBB and solid scores across hosting review platforms, Hostwinds continues to position themselves as a reliable, performance-focused hosting provider for users who want control, transparency, and strong technical support without unnecessary frills.